This is exactly the type of lighting that we should install throughout Downtown! The best part is that the lighting system will be staying put even after Downtown Ice ends. I think it will complement the San Jose Museum of Art quite nicely.
As for Downtown Ice, it opens today with a special unveiling of "the Halo" at 6pm. Every night from 6pm-9pm there will be a light show synced to music. The rink will be open until 10pm Sunday through Thursday and until Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
~~~
Downtown Ice outdoor skating rink opens
FRIDAY, NOV. 15 in Downtown San Jose
What / When:
FRIDAY, NOV. 15, 6 p.m. - PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: The unveiling of “The Halo,” a light show of high-powered state-of-the-art RGB pixel light strings on the 32 palms comprising the Circle of Palms, choreographed to music.
To see a test of the light display conducted last week, click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHz0fYeO1ko&feature=em-upload_owner
The lights will be up year-round and were installed to coincide with the opening of Hawaiian Airlines-Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice skating rink at the same location. When not dancing to music, the lights remain on a “screen-saver”-like mode that loops every 40 minutes.
During the skating season, the choreographed light and music shows will take place at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. nightly.
Who:
The San Jose Downtown Association produces Downtown Ice and manages the beautification activities of the downtown PBID.
The San Jose Downtown Association produces Downtown Ice and manages the beautification activities of the downtown PBID.
CBRE Global Investors, the owner of 50 West, the property on which the Circle of Palms and Downtown Ice rink resides.
Where:
Circle of Palms located between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont Hotel, 120 Market St., downtown San Jose.
Circle of Palms located between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont Hotel, 120 Market St., downtown San Jose.
Visuals:
The iconic ice rink celebrates its 10th year. The rink combines two circular ice sheet: one inside the 32 palms, the other outside the circle of trees.
The iconic ice rink celebrates its 10th year. The rink combines two circular ice sheet: one inside the 32 palms, the other outside the circle of trees.
The palms, which previous shined in white lights, now sport RGB pixel light strings that can produce every color in the spectrum. The lights can be programmed to form patterns and can change into colors that match a musical soundtrack.
More When:
The annual Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice Skating Rink opening celebration is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, just before the official opening of Christmas in the Park.
Rink is open 5 p.m.-midnight Friday
Noon-midnight Saturday
Noon- 10 p.m. Sunday
5 p.m.- 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday
This reminds me - any news on the Illuminating Downtown project?
ReplyDeleteNo, I need to check up on that!
DeleteHampton Inn starts construction in April, 2014.
ReplyDeleteCool. Thanks for the info.
DeleteDowntown San Jose rated as one of the least vibrant downtown district in the country/world. Chris Benyon of MIC(Berkeley urban planning think tank) rated Dt San Jose as a "5" out 10. Other cities rankings for vibrancy in downtowns: NY10, CHi10, SF10, Seattle10, Portland10, Philadelphia10, Boston10, New Orleans10, Denver9, Washington9, Salt Lake City8, Minneapolis8, San Diego8, Indianapolis8 Boise8, Charlotte8, Austin8, Los Angeles8, San Antonio8, Detroit7, Pittsburgh7, Cincinnati7, Cleveland7, Milwaukee7, Spokane7, Albuquerque7, Miami7, Atlanta7, Nashville7, Omaha7 Oakland7, Columbus6, Houston6, Dallas6, Phoenix6, St Louis6, Kansas City6 Sacramento6, Tuscon6, El Paso6 San Jose5 and Jacksonville5
ReplyDeleteYou don't have a link by any chance? This could very well be based on outdated stats, I would definitely disagree with some of the rankings here.
DeleteThis guy just did a survey this year and took a tour downtown SJ just recently. I don't have a link. It just was discussed at the Spur meeting yesterday. He was invited to speak. I guess you can try Google him(Chris Benyon). I'll try now.
DeleteI can't say a 5/10 for SJ is completely unreasonable. Maybe we deserve a 6. On the bright side, ten years ago I'd say we were more like a 3.
DeleteI haven't been to that many cities on the list, but the on that jumps out as crazy is Boise at an 8. To saw Boise is as good as Austin or San Diego is laughable.
I got this from Spur's Thurs meeting about San Jose's downtown vibrancy compared to other city's downtowns and progress being made in downtowns at Spur's office on First St.
ReplyDeleteChristopher Beynon MIG 1 (510) 845-7549 or 1-(800) 790 8444. AICP American Planning Association. He just recently visited downtown and graded it. It ranks very low in vibrancy. You can check with them. MIG is based out of Berkeley. We would like to see how it goes if you check with them.
ReplyDeleteGreat, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI live downtown. A rating of 5 seems accurate enough to me.
ReplyDelete